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Toronto Public Library offers a variety of materials in Spanish to our Spanish-speaking customers - you can borrow for free Spanish books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, as well as Spanish language-learning materials. Toronto has a large Spanish speaking population and in addition - Spanish is a popular choice for people who would like to learn a new language.

But did you know that the library is now providing free access to many wonderful popular titles of Spanish eBooks (Libros electronicos en espanol) and eMagazines (revistas electronicas en espagnol)?

I asked our electronic collections librarian to help me come up with a list of the most popular Spanish eBooks and eMagazines that are being requested on the library's website and they are listed below.

These bestselling novels and other Spanish eBooks, eMagazines and much more are free to download if you have a valid Toronto Public library card. Read on your eReader, computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone! Visit tpl.ca/ereads and learn how to get started.

Zinio is a popular digital magazine platform and Toronto Public Library offers more than 500 titles of those consumer magazines. Zinio offers a number of magazine titles in Spanish as well (close to 30 titles currently) and users get to keep the magazine issues that they download on their device. Among those Spanish titles are popular fashion, design and lifestyle magazines such as Architectural Digest Mexico, Good Housekeeping, Vogue Latin America, Marie Claire Espana, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar Espana, Cosmopolitan en Espanol, Glamour Latin America, ELLE Mexico, GO Latin America etc., and below are the top five as requested by our customers online. What a fun way to keep current with fashion trends while mastering your Spanish!

And what about the print Spanish collections? Where can you pick up a book in Spanish, borrow popular print magazines such as Semana, Geo, Hola, Gente, Muy Interesante, or choose a movie to watch? Which branches have Spanish board books or picture books for your child?

Many Toronto libraries offer Spanish books, DVDs, CDs, magazines

You can find a listing of all branches with Spanish collections on the Toronto Public Library’s website. All these adult and children's materials are free to borrow with a library card and of course - remember that you can also place a hold on a title through the website catalogue and it will be sent to the library branch of your choice for easy pickup.

In total - there are 30 library branches across the city that have Spanish collections - which accounts for almost one third of all TPL branches!

Spanish eBooks for Kids: The library offers free access (with a library card) to TumbleBooks, which is as a great online collection of eBook picture books and there are a number of titles in Spanish in there as well, that kids can read or listen to.

Listen to a Spanish story by phone: Children and their families can also dial the free library phone line 416-395-5400 (Dial-a-Story), press 5 and listen to a different story in Spanish every day for younger (under 7 years) or older kids (age 8-12).

Learn and practice Spanish language:

Always wanted to learn Spanish language? This has never been easier with our online language courses database MANGO Language Learning - it offers many different language courses including Spanish and Latin American Spanish, as well as ESL courses - Mango is free to use on your computer, simply sign in with your library card number.

Library programs in Spanish:

Spanish Reading Circle: For lovers of Spanish literature - Palmerston Branch hosts a monthly Spanish Literature Reading Circle (Circulo de Lectura en Espanol) on a Monday night once a month at 7pm. It is a free drop-in adult program. Call the branch to find what the next book in discussion will be or simply drop in.

Spanish Storytime

Bloor/Gladstone Branch offers a special Spanish storytime once a month too on a Saturday morning at 10.30 a.m. Bring your children ages 2-7 to have fun and learn with stories, songs and rhymes. Prior knowledge of Spanish is not required and you can call the branch about the exact dates of the program.

This year Toronto Public Library celebrates Newcomers and Asian Heritage Month with the whole package, featuring storytellers, authors, chefs, dancers, reporters, artists, drummers, painters, singers, designers and musicians, each bringing us a taste of many exotic cultures right here in our city.

Everything is free so come out and join in the fun at many branches which are proudly hosting mini-festivals. In order not to miss any of the events, you may pick up your Asian Heritage Month Program Guide and Reading List from your nearest branch.

Agincourt Library's "China Homelands Festival" is action-packed for Saturday, May 4, from 10 am-4:30 pm with the following highlights:

Toronto Public Library hopes that the Asian Heritage Month experience will be an enjoyable and meaningful one for you this year. We would certainly appreciate your feedback as to which programs you have enjoyed the most!

Have you ever wanted a litte more information on eating a healthier diet? Toronto Public Library has many resources available to you to find out more! The following is a list of programs, books, blogs, and online resources that you can use to locate information on nutrition, wellness, and healthy eating. Bon Appétit!

Protect your Health at Agincourt Library on June 4, 2013 (Program in Mandarin)Topics will include an overview of heart disease and stroke, rise factors, warnings signs and how to lower your risk by living a healthy lifestyle.

Wellness and Nutrition at Woodside Square Library on June 12, 2013Certified Nurse Practitioner, Lucille Poulin, will discuss the right food choices and how they can be powerful medicine for the body.

The library also has electronic databases that can help with Health information. Have your library card and PIN number ready (usually the last 2 numbers of your phone number) in order to access these databases. These databases include:

Toronto Public Library has partnered with these community agencies to allow settlement workers, who are based in schools from September to June to offer services to newcomers in selected library branches starting on July 3rd!

What does SEPT do?

SEPT assists and connects new Canadians to services in the community and to all of our library services. The SEPT workers are available to help those who need advice and guidance in Toronto and Canada. Information about:

If you are a newcomer looking for more information or help, please visit one of the SEPT branches to find out more!

* No registration required.* SEPT service will be available during library service hours.

Other summer programs at the library:

English Can Be Fun - A summer program for newcomer children ages 7-10 to help get ready for school in September. Classes are held three times a week for 1.5 hours a session at 11 different branches in Toronto.

Summer Leading to Reading - A free program for children in Grades 2-6 who are reading below their grade level and need help with their homework.

Summer Reading Club - Children are encouraged to sign up at your local library to pick up your free poster and activity book and start collecting stickers! The club has all kinds of activities, programs, games, prizes and, of course, lots of reading ideas!

There are lots of great things going on at our libraries during the summer. Have a look at our programs and services or contact us at 416-393-7131 for more information.

It is for children who are going to be in grades 2 to 6 in September 2010.

Your child will be partnered with a volunteer tutor to practise reading/writing skills, enjoy books, and do reading-related games and activities.

Pick up an application form from one of the 37 branches that offer the program and return the completed form to the branch by June 26. The reading sessions will be for one hour per week from July 12 to August 28, 2010. Please note that space is limited.

The same library branches also offer the Leading to Reading program during the school year, from October to May. Registration usually takes place in September.

Welcome! This blog is written by librarians and provides information and resources available from the library and around Toronto to new residents of Canada. For more information see the Library's Help for Newcomers website